This is how the DP dome was divided after the tense meeting in Kryesi, Alibeaj, Açka and Bejko next to Basha, in front of Bardhi, Sula and Korresh

There is no doubt that the Presidency of the official Democratic Party is in favor of Lulzim Basha and the international partners who support DP and not "non-women" Sali Berisha. On Tuesday evening, dawning on Wednesday, the Presidency of the Democratic Party met, which after 10 hours and amid tensions provoked by members who are blindly loyal to Berisha, decided to open the election process and hold elections for the President of the Democratic Party with date July 29, 2023. The decision was approved with 17 votes in favor, 2 votes against and 3 abstentions. Deputies who are simultaneously members of the Presidency asked for the postponement of the race, while other members of the Presidency asked the latter to account even though they have not been very active in the campaign, mainly that of Tirana. But this courageous decision of the majority of the Presidency of the Democratic Party, highlighted once again how the DP dome is divided. Most of the members, once around 80-90%, led by Enkelejd Alibeaj, Gentian Gaba, Roland Bejko and Flutura Açka, showed that they are with Mr. Basha, while in front of them were only a minority who blindly follow Berisha, such as Gazment Bardhi, Dashnor Sula and Saimir Korreshi, who with their blocking actions provoked a coup d'état within the official Democratic Party on account of "non-women". However, their ominous scenario remained merely an attempt, as most members of the DP Presidency cleared the way for holding elections for the new president. while in front of them were only a minority who blindly follow Berisha, such as Gazment Bardhi, Dashnor Sula and Saimir Korreshi, who with their blocking actions provoked a coup d'état within the official Democratic Party on account of "non-women". However, their ominous scenario remained merely an attempt, as most members of the DP Presidency cleared the way for holding elections for the new president. while in front of them were only a minority who blindly follow Berisha, such as Gazment Bardhi, Dashnor Sula and Saimir Korreshi, who with their blocking actions provoked a coup d'état within the official Democratic Party on account of "non-women". However, their ominous scenario remained merely an attempt, as most members of the DP Presidency cleared the way for holding elections for the new president.

The presidency paved the way for the holding of elections, Bardhi revolts

But it seems that the conflict will not end there, as Gazment Bardhi has warned that he will not sign for the opening of the elections. He is the General Secretary of the official Democratic Party and it is up to him to organize the elections, in the conditions where the DP has neither a president nor a vice president. But Bardhi said in a show yesterday evening that he will not do this, giving signals that there will be another clash. "I will implement the PD statute, the Presidency makes its own decisions, but as general secretary I implement the decisions of the party and the PD statute, no one can impose on me or turn me into a slave of narrow interests. What I am saying is that the Secretary General will respect the statute. The meeting took place yesterday, the decision is being clarified, I am not familiar with a decision that has been clarified and I was not present when it was voted on, as soon as I am known, I will take all the steps", he declared. Furthermore, Bardhi has stated that the statute is violated. According to him, the first impasse lies in the fact that the membership with the right to vote for the chairman of the party is determined by a working group set up by the head of the branch. He argues that currently, in the 71 branches that DP has nationwide, only 29 of them have elected presidents, while the others are just contact points. The second point in violation of the statute for Bardhi is the Electoral Commission that will organize the process, since most of it contains names that have gone to Berisha's side. In order to change the commission, according to the General Secretary, the National Council must be convened, which is actually called by the party chairman. "The organization of an election process for the chairman of the party, in the procedure that has been approved by the Presidency of the Party, contradicts the charter of the Democratic Party. If it were possible from a statutory point of view, I have no objection. But for me to organize a process that is not transparent and that leads to another division of the party, this should not be the attitude of the general secretary of the DP", underlined Bardhi.

Box 1

This is how the Presidency of the DP voted

1. Enkelejd Alibeaj (Pro)

2. Açka Butterfly (Pro)

3. Jemin Ghana (Pro)

4. Taulant Zeneli (Pro)

5. Endri Hasa (Pro)

6. Indrit Sefa (Pro)

7. Kreshnik Çollaku (Pro)

8. Roland Bejko (Pro)

9. Gentian Gaba (Pro)

10. Agron Kapllanaj (Pro)

11. Arbi?? Agalliu (Pro)

12. Profit Zekthi (Pro)

13. Gazmend Koduzi (Pro)

14. Merita Bakiu (Pro)

15. Orjola Pampuri (Pro)

16. Taulanda Jupi (Pro)

17. Xhemal Gjunkshi (Pro)

18. Jonila Godole (Against)

19. Flamur Hoxha (Against)

20. Jorida Tabaku (Abstinence)

21. Juela Hamati (Abstention)

22. Oriela Nebiaj (Abstention)

23. Gazment Bardhi (left)

24. Lover Sula (left)

25. Saimir Korreshi (left)